Andong City (Mayor Kwon Ki-chang) announced that the winning work was finally selected as a result of the architectural design contest review committee for the “New Town Complex Community Center Construction” project.
The winning work is ‘Becoming One’ submitted by Gyeongdeok Architects Office. This design contains the intention to provide a space where Andong citizens, Yecheon County residents, and immigrants communicate and cooperate as one.
Based on the winning work of this contest, Andong City plans to begin construction in July 2025 and open in January 2027 after going through basic and detailed design. The planned construction cost is approximately 7.7 billion won.
The new city complex community center is a building to revitalize the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office’s new city and provide residents with quick and organic administrative services and a complex cultural space. It is planned to be built in the area of 1181 Galjeon-ri with a total floor area of 2,229.04㎡, 1 floor underground and 2 floors above ground.
The interior of the building will include rental spaces such as cafes, retail stores, and pop-up stores that can be used in a variety of ways to meet the needs of residents, a multipurpose room and program room for education, cultural events, and community activities, and business facilities.
An official from Andong City said, “We hope that the new city complex community center will establish itself as a central space that contributes to the revitalization of culture, education, and welfare of local residents.” He added, “We will do our best to build a new city complex community center by carrying out follow-up procedures in a substantial manner.” reported.
Meanwhile, Andong City’s Seohu-myeon Community Security Council held the 2nd regular meeting of the 2024 Community Security Council in the conference room on the second floor of the Seohu-myeon Administrative Welfare Center on Wednesday, November 6.
The 21 members of the Community Security Council have been carrying out various activities for the local community based on their experience, such as discovering welfare blind spots and resources within Seohu-myeon for two years starting September 1.
At this meeting, training was conducted under the theme of ‘Role and tasks of town, village and neighborhood social security council members in response to policy changes.’ In addition, we had time to discuss various welfare service delivery systems, including discussions on ways to identify and revitalize welfare blind spots in the region, and took time to pledge the members’ activity and dedication as the new term begins.
Chairman Kwon Oh-cheol of the Civilian Committee said, “Through this training, I and the committee members will do our best to ensure that no neighbors in the region are left behind and to provide prompt help to neighbors in blind spots.”
Seohu-myeon Mayor Min Yuk-ki said, “I support the members of the Seohu-myeon Community Council who are starting a new year, and I am also grateful to the members who made regular and temporary donations to the ‘Seohu-myeon Together Happiness Deposit’ and promised to join the Good Store.” He added, “We will continue to support the public and private sectors in the future. “Through this mutual cooperation, we will take the lead in creating a livable Seohu-myeon without welfare blind spots,” he said.
Economy Queen Reporter Kim Hong-mi / Photo Andong City
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Interview: Building Community and Culture in Andong City
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, and thank you for joining us today! We have an exciting topic to discuss—Andong City’s recent architectural design contest and its implications for the community. We’re joined by Architect Lee Jin-soo from Gyeongdeok Architects Office, whose design ‘Becoming One’ was selected as the winning entry. Thank you for being here, Lee!
Lee Jin-soo (LJ): Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
TNE: Let’s start with the inspiration behind your design, ‘Becoming One.’ What motivated your team to create a space that emphasizes communication and cooperation within the community?
LJ: The name itself, ‘Becoming One,’ reflects our vision of unity. Andong is a diverse region with its citizens, residents from Yecheon County, and immigrants. We wanted to design a space that transcends boundaries, fostering an environment where people from different backgrounds can come together, share experiences, and build relationships. The concept is rooted in the belief that community spaces should unite rather than divide.
TNE: That’s a profound insight! The construction of the New Town Complex Community Center is set to begin in July 2025. What are some key features of the design that you believe will enhance community engagement?
LJ: The center will include a variety of amenities, such as rental spaces for cafes and retail stores, as well as multipurpose rooms for educational and cultural events. We specifically designed these spaces to accommodate diverse programs and activities, whether it’s a workshop, an art exhibition, or community discussions. Our aim is to make this center a versatile hub that encourages continual interaction among residents.
TNE: It sounds like a vibrant space! With a construction cost of approximately 7.7 billion won, what challenges did your team face during the design process?
LJ: Budget constraints are always a challenge, but we took a comprehensive approach to ensure the design provides value for money. We conducted surveys and engaged with community members to understand their specific needs—this helped prioritize features that would deliver the greatest benefit. Collaboration was key in overcoming challenges and ensuring the center serves the community effectively.
TNE: Collaborating with the community seems vital. Andong City officials have expressed a hope that this center will bolster local culture, education, and welfare. How do you envision this center impacting those areas?
LJ: The center is designed to be a catalyst for cultural exchange and educational opportunities. By providing a venue for various programs—from art and music classes to cultural festivals—we hope to spark creativity and learning. Additionally, the integration of administrative services within the center will streamline access to information and resources, enhancing community welfare.
TNE: That’s inspiring! As the construction phase approaches, what next steps do you foresee for your team?
LJ: The next steps will involve detailed design and planning to ensure we stay aligned with the community’s needs and the city’s vision. We’ll be working closely with Andong City’s officials to execute the construction plans effectively. Once the building is open in January 2027, we’ll also engage in ongoing evaluation and adaptation of the programs offered, based on community feedback.
TNE: It’s great to hear that you will continue to involve the community. Before we wrap up, is there a message you’d like to share with the residents of Andong and surrounding areas?
LJ: Absolutely! I’d like to invite everyone to participate in this journey. Your input is invaluable as we create a space that reflects not just our vision but yours. Let’s make the New Town Complex Community Center a place that truly embodies our collective spirit and cooperation. Together, we can build a stronger community!
TNE: Thank you, Lee, for sharing your insights and vision with us today. We look forward to seeing the development of this exciting project and its impact on Andong City.
LJ: Thank you for having me! I’m excited for what’s to come.